Who do I represent?

As we continue to process Proverbs 14:33-35, focusing on being an Ambassador for God, “A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him”, I read a story that really brought home the issue.

At a banquet a rich man was seated across the table from a very beautiful woman. He passed a note to her – “Will you sleep with me for $100,000?” She says, “Yes.” He passes another note - “Will you sleep with me for $50?” She snapes back, “Sir, what kind of woman do you think I am?” He states: “We established that with the first question, now we are negotiating price!”

Scripture tells us we are ambassadors for Christ. What does that mean for us?

First a basic understanding of this word: 

1. A diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a sovereign as the resident representative of his sovereign.

2. In the Greek it is: πρεσβεύω presbeuó - to be a senior; in the practical sense to act as a representative.

Just before Jesus endured the cross, He had dinner with His disciples and then prayed to His Father this prayer:

John 17:1-6 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.

First, Jesus brought Glory to His Father. 

That is what we should do! The greatest satanic excuse that has been used throughout history is - Don't look at me, I am not Jesus! 

When I hear that I truly want to – Jump up, throw my arms up in the air and scream, “WOW! I thought you were! Thanks for letting me know”! 

I don’t because I know that sarcasm is rude, but…REALLY? There is no excuse for sin, there is only Confession! God is never surprised, so why should we act? I need to face my failure, accept it, and confess it! My Dad loves me and desires to forgive and restore me – not to salvation, that is done by the finished Work of Christ, but to fellowship!

The So What: What concerns you the most: What people think of you, or what people think of Jesus? What are you doing about that? 

What comes out should flow from what’s in!

Two famous men were at a dinner. One of them began talking about the virtues of “silence.” He talked through the entire dinner, never allowing anyone to get a word in. When dinner was over, the other famous individual approached him and thanked him for his long and thorough lecture on the “topic of silence!” I hope he also encouraged him to enjoy his meal…since it was all still there! 

Sometimes we need to slooowww down so we can see ourselves, before we expose ourselves in a way, we later regret! As for me…Been There, Done That! 

Probing Proverbs 14:33-35 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not found among fools. Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him. 

With each tick of the industrial age our globe has become smaller, places that use to take weeks, or even months to travel to, can now be done in hours! Learning about different cultures used to require travel, now all you have to do is turn on a TV. 

One of the outcomes of this is the need to have the person that represents our country, an Ambassador, to have the highest standards. 

This verse: “A king rejoices in wise servants but is angry with those who disgrace him” communicates that. When applied to the Ambassadorship that we as believers have, it carries eternal ramifications! 

It is important to regularly ask the Holy Spirit to show you yourself in His mirror. It’s not always fun, but it is always healthy! Let’s consider what it means for us to be God’s ambassadors for a few devotionals.

Just to begin our thoughts, consider this:

What we see ourselves as, determines the way we act.

If we think “me, myself and I” we will live on an island, living only for ourselves, and to put it bluntly, the rest of the world can “go to hell!” Offended? We should  be…but not by the words but the reality! 

Who else can tell a lost world that there is not only hope, but actual eternal life with their Creator through Jesus Christ? 

A man entering a building stopped and held the door open for the woman behind him. With disdain she said in an angry tone, you do not have to hold that door for me because I am a woman! He replied gently, “I am not holding this door for you because you are a woman, I am holding it open for you because I am a gentleman.” 

The So What: Do you sense “your mission”? Are you just here, or do you possess a destiny? Do you “do” because, it is expected, accidental, or circumstances…or is what you do because of who you are!